• The Daily Brief
  • Posts
  • The Daily Brief: Reality Star Spars with Politicians, Pat Riley to Receive Crypto Arena Statue, and more.

The Daily Brief: Reality Star Spars with Politicians, Pat Riley to Receive Crypto Arena Statue, and more.

Your daily update is here.

Good Afternoon! It’s Monday, August 18.

Sunny skies were seen across Los Angeles on Monday with temperatures peaking at a high of 84°. We will have very similar weather as we head into Tuesday, with more sun and an identical high of 84° forecast.

Advertisement

Banner image for Los Angeles Magazine subscription offer. Text reads: “Subscribe Today and Save 72% Off the Cover Price. Offer is available online at LAmag.com.” The right side displays several cover images of recent Los Angeles Magazine issues and a circular badge that reads “Only $1.66 Per Issue.”

Reality Star Spencer Pratt Turns Wildfire Grief Into a Feud With Governor Newsom

After losing his Pacific Palisades home in the recent wildfires, former Hills star Spencer Pratt has launched a very public online battle with Governor Gavin Newsom. What began as criticism over a housing bill and a dismissive “C-list reality star” jab from Newsom’s press office has spiraled into a social media spectacle—part political dispute, part reality show. As Pratt questions the state’s response to fire victims and FireAid funding, fans are now urging him to make the leap from reality TV to the governor’s race.

Spike Lee and Sports Legends Help Pump Foundation Raise $2.8M for Cancer

“Ketamine Queen” Pleads Guilty in Matthew Perry Drug Case

Jasveen Sangha, a North Hollywood woman known as the “Ketamine Queen,” has pleaded guilty to federal charges tied to Matthew Perry’s 2023 death. Prosecutors say Sangha supplied the actor with dozens of vials of ketamine through a network of enablers, all of whom have now admitted guilt. Facing up to 45 years in prison, Sangha is the final defendant to be convicted in the high-profile case.

Stetson Bennett Leads Rams to Stunning Preseason Comeback

The Rams thrilled fans at SoFi Stadium with a 23-22 preseason victory over the Chargers, capped by Stetson Bennett’s late-game heroics. The dramatic win not only showcased Bennett’s poise under pressure but also hinted at the team’s potential heading into the regular season, bolstered by Matthew Stafford’s return to practice.

Pat Riley to Be Honored With Statue at Crypto.com Arena

The Lakers will unveil a statue of Pat Riley—the architect of the Showtime era—outside Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 22, 2026, before their game against the Celtics. Riley coached Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy to four championships in the 1980s, cementing the Lakers as the NBA’s brightest spectacle. The tribute places him alongside Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and other legends in Star Plaza, celebrating a legacy that forever changed Los Angeles basketball.

Advertisements

Subscribe to Los Angeles Magazine Today!
Get exclusive insights, stunning photography, and the ultimate guide to the city's best dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences.

Recommended Newsletters:

O.C. NowGet our latest stories and special offers delivered right to your inbox!
Pasadena This WeekGet our latest stories and special offers delivered right to your inbox!
Weekend GuideOur weekly recommendation of where to go and what to do in LA this weekend.
LAMag- Travel, Food, and ShoppingOur best reads on Travel, food, and shopping.

Reply

or to participate.